Switching system for suspended railways



Jan. 1, 1929. 1,696,946

. F. E. FELTS SWITCHING SYSTEM FOR SUSPENDED RAILWAYS Filegl July 1,1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 7 6I6/ierEZZ/Z'Y,

BY W TOEYS.

Jan. 1, 1929.

1,696,946 F. E. FELTS 1' SWITCHING SYSTEM FOR SUSPENDED RAILW AYS FiledJuly 1, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N VEN TOR.

A c-s.

Jan. 1, 1929. 1,696,946

F. E. FELTS SWITCHING SYSTEM FOR SUSPENDED RAILWAYS Filed July 1, 1927 4Sheets-Sheet 5 III mil INTI II II II II IHI Jan. 1, 1929.

F. E. FELTS SWITCHING SYSTEM FOR SUSPENDED RAILWAYS Filed July 1, 1927'4 Sheets-Sheet INVENTdR. fYefMe/flf/ a,

Fatented Jan. 1, 1929.

u its ere" insane SWITCHING SYSTEM FOR SUSEENDED RAILWAYS,

Application filed July 1,

This invention relates to switching system for suspended railways ojtthetype disclosed in UB Patent #928,435, granted to me July 20, 19Q9, andthe object oi the invention is to provide a simple and eihcientnieans bywhich suspended cars or trains may he transferred from a main line oftrack onto another main line and by Which the o eration of the switchmechanism may he automatically. controlled.

The invention consists of suspended sections of straight track andcurved track disjoined from continuous straight trackivay and curvedtrackivay respectively, and of means for moving such suspended sectionsof track into alineinentivith either the straighttrackway or the curvedt-rackivay.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a preferredembodiment of theinvention, and therein,

v Fig. 1 is a plan view showing diagrannnatically an electricallycontrolled inechanisin for moving disjoined sections of curved andstraight track into alineinent With curved and straight tracltwayrespectively.

Fig. 2 is a side view showing the straight and curved sections of trackand the carriers therefor,

3 is a fragmentary detail showing means carried by a car tor controllingthe electrical mechanism.

t is a plan view showing the disjoincd sections 01 curved track inalii'ienient with the curved trackivay and the disjoined sec-- tion ofstraight track out of alineincnt with the straight track vay.

Fig. 5 is plan view showing means for 130- tating' a disjoined sectionof track to aline saine ivith a curved or straight tracl; of intersecting trackway,

Fig, 6 is a fraginentz-iry end view showing the carriage mount and therack carried by the carriage for operating the disjoined section ofcrossing tracks or rails;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view showing a disjoined sect-ion of track andthe rotatable support therefor.

Pg. 8 is a diagrammatic view of electrical mechanism for controlling themovement of the disjoined tracks in one direction and Fig. 9 is adiagrammatic View of electrical mechanism for controlling the movementof the disjoined tracks in. another direction.

Referring in detail to the form of embodiment of the invention shown inthe drawings,

1 and 2 indicateparallel straight tracks or 1927. serial No. 202,851.

rails for cars traveling respectively in oppo- 1 and The resne ctive isght tracks 1 and 2 and the resp'ective curvin tracksS andg l; arearranged to be suspended from a suitable structure generally shown at 5,"in Fig. 4.

cand 4terniihate at the e'tvlereot from the main The cure po nt of o1 etracks 1, and 2 and that point are separated therefrom. The continuityof the parallel straight tracks or rails 1 and Zis interrupted by gaps Aand B respectively, The continuity oi the curved trachsB ana s ri rangedto he established track sections 3 and 4: respectively, and thecontinuity of the straights tr ngks l and 2 is arrangedlto he completedby sections 1 and 2 therespective sections 8 and 1 and l and 2, heingaiFranged to he moved into alinenient With the respective tracks by meanshereinafter described. i i i l The continuity oft-helcurved track 4 andthe continuity of the straight tmfi kl at the point of intersection ofsuch tracks t, and 1 is interrupted hygaps C and D respectively, asshown in Fig. 5, and the continuity otsaid traclzs l and l at the, pointof intersection thereof is arranged to be established by a track section6, rotatable as hereinafter described to aline the seine with the curvedtrack e or With the straight track 1, and concurrently with the movementof the track sections at andQ.

The sections of tracks 1 and 3 are suspended by hangers 7 and 8,respectively, from a carriage 9, supported. by pairs of flanged Wheels10 and 10 which are arranged to ride upon tracks 11, disposed at rightangles to the tracks 1 andZ and 3 and 1 which are suspended from asuitable structural support indicated at 11.

T he pairs of Wheels 10 and 10 are secured to axles 12 and 1:2, whichare journaled in the carriage 9. UPQn tlieaxle 12 mounted a sprocket 13,which through the medium of a chain 1 1 is connected with a sprocket 15e cured to the shaft of an electric notor 16, through which the rotationof said axle 12 and the movement of the carriage Salongthe tracks 11iseiiectcd. The rotatory notion of the axle 12 is vconnnunicate-d to the12 through a chain 17, running over sprockets 18 and 18 respectively.

The sections: of tracks 2 and 1 vare s tspended by hangers l9 and 20,fron a carriage 21, sup-ported by pairs of flanged wheels 22 and 22which are arranged to ride upon the t acks 11. The pairs of flangedwheels 22 and 22 are secured to axles 23 and 23 which are j ournaled inthe carriage 21. Upon the axle 23 is mounted a sprocket 2 1, whichthrough the medium of a chain 25 is connected with a sprocket 26,secured to the shaft of an electric motor 27', through which therotation of said axle 23 and the movement of the carriage 21, along thetracks 11 is effected. The rotatory motion of the axle 23 iscommunicated to the axle 23, through a chain 26, running over sprockets27 and 27 secured to said axles 23 and 23.

The section 6 of track that is arranged to complete either the straighttrack 1 or the curved track 4 is, as stated, arranged to be operatedconcurrently with the movement of the sections of track 2- and 4' and toaccomplish the rotation of said section 6 to aline the same with eitherof the tracks 1 and 1, by the rectilinear movement of the carriage 21, Ihave provided the arrangement shown more particularly in Figs. 4-, 5 and7, and comprising the following structure. Onto the side of the carriage21 is secured a rack 28, with which meshes a pinion 29, pinned orotherwise secured to one end of a shaft 30 journaled near one endthereof in a suitable support 31 and near the other end thereofjournaled in a suitable support 32, that is carried by a tie structure33 which is connected to the rail supporting structure 5. On the otherend of the shaft 30 is secured a bevel gear 34,

which meshes with a similar bevel gear 35 on one end of a shaft 36,which extends at right angles to said shaft 30, and which is journaledin suitable supports 37 and 37 attached to said tie structure 33. On theend of said shaft 36 is fastened a bevel gear 38, which meshes with ahorizontal bevel gear 39. The bevel gear 39 fits over preferably asquared extension 1O rising centrally of and vertically from a turntable41 which is rotatable upon a support 412, that is fastened to said tiestructure 33, suitable roller bearings 13 and 44 being provided toreduce friction incident on the rotation of said turntable. The section6 of track is suspended from said turntable by hangers 415. and as seenin Fig. 5 is substantially straight. It will be seen from thisdescription that the movement of the carriage 21 in either direction,transfers its movement through the media detailed, to the turntable 11,which will aline the section 6 of track carried by it with either thecurved track 4 or the straight track 1.

Both carriages 9 and 21 are independently movable on the track 11 by therespective motors 16 and 27. The electrical power circuits for themotors of both carriages 9 and 21 being identical, one only will bedescribed in detail, similar reference characters denoting similarparts. It will be observed that the main line or the straight tr cks 1and 2 are arranged to be normally open, and that the curved or divergingtracks 3 and 1 are arranged to be normally closed. The system to bedescribed therefore is controllable by a car that is to take the switchor diverging track to cause the diverging tracl; section to be movedinto alinement with and to open the curved tack, while at the same timethe straight section of track is caused to be moved out of alinementwith and close the main or straight track; the system is alsocontrollable by the car that has passed onto the diverging track tocause the main or straight track to be opened by the movement of thestraight track section into alinement with the straight track while atthe same time moving the diverging track section out of alinement withand closing the curving or diverging track.

Referring to Fig. 3, mechanism is illustrated which is arranged to becarried by a car E, and which is arranged to initiate the flow ofelectrical current through a plurality of circuits, presently described,whereby the switching system is set in operation. Thismechanismcomprises a pair of arms 47 and 47, pivotally connectedintermediate the ends thereof to the car. Between the forward ends ofthe respective arms is disposed an electro-magnet &8, which is in anelectrical circuit 49, that also includes a source of electrical energy,as a generator 50, and a switch 51, arranged to be operated by theoperator of the car. The rear ends of the respective arms 17 and 47 arenormally held drawn toward each other by a spring 51, which also causesthe front ends of said arms to be held away from both ends of theelectro-magnet 18. Vhen the electro-magnet is energized by the closingof the switch 51, the front ends of the respective arms 17 and d7, willbe attracted to and held on the respective poles of the el-ectro-magnet-48. By this movement, the rear ends of said arms 17 and 17 are movedoutwardly and into the path of contacts 52 and 52, and 53 and 53 bywhich a circuit, hereinafter described, is established whereby toenergize one of the motors carried by one of the carriages 9 or 21, andthereby cause the travel of said carriages in one or the other directionrespectively.

Referring to Fig. 9,

The electrical system by which the movement of the carriages is effectedin one or the other direction is shown as comprising the motor 16, apole changer 54, an armature 55 to which said pole changer is connectedat one end and which is movable about a central pivot 57; a pair ofelectro-magnets 56 and 56 for operating said armature about its pivotand thereby control the movement of the pole changer. The armature isheld normally away from said electro-magnets by lUO springs 58 and 58'.Each of the electro-magnets is provided with a supplemental winding 59,and, 59 terminating in a contact point 60 and 60 which is arranged foralternate engagement bysaid armature 55. The contacts 52and- 52 are inan electrical circuit 61, which is a branch of a power line 62, andwhich includes one of the.electro-magnets, namely Assumingthat the arms4:? and 47 carried by a car have engaged the con tacts 52-and-52, acircuit is completed which energizes the electro-magnet 56. One end ofthearmature 55 will thereby be drawn to the pole of the electro-magnet56, and by this movement of said armature 55 the pole changer will beoperated to establish the direction of flow of the current to the fieldmagnets of the motor. At the same time that the armature 55 is attractedto the pole of the electro magnet 56, the armature contacts with thecontact point in which the winding 59 terminateatherehy completing acircuit which includes the armature of the motor, the Winding 59. of theelectroanagnet 56, the contact point-60 and the armature 55, which isgrounded. hen the motor is thus set in operation, the carriage willbemoved and the track section '3 alined with the curved track 3. Thesupplemental windings 59 and 59 are provided on the electro-magnets 56and 56 respectively, in order to hold the electroanagnets 56 and 56energized after the initial circuit which includes the contacts 52iand52, and 53 and 53, has been in terruptedby the passing of the contactarms 47 and 47. l/Vhen the carriage has been moved the distance requiredto bring about the alinement of the particular track section 3 with therespective track 3, the power cir cuit is broken by the disconnection ofthe ari'nature 55 with the electro-magnet 56, which is effected throughthemediurn of a deflector 63 which is disposed in the path of travel ofthe end ofarmature Stop members 6-1 and 64 and and 65 respectively areprovided on the cross rail 11. on which the carriages 9 and 21 travel,to prevent the travel of said carriages and the movement of the railsections 1 and 3 and 2 and 4 beyond the point of alinement with therespective tracks 1 and 3 and 2 and 4-. These stop members 6 1- and 64and 65 and 65 are shown in Fig. 4. After the car has passed over thecurve onto the straight track, the section 1- of track is arranged to bemoved into alinemeut with the straight track 1. This is accomplished bythe arms 47 and 47' making contact with the contacts 53 and 53, In sodoing, a circuit is completed and the electromagnet- 56 is energized.Thereby the other end of the armature 55 will be drawn to the pole ofthe electro-magnet, as shown in Fig. 8, and by this movement of thearmature 55, the pole changer 54 will be operated to re verse the flowof the current to the field mag nets of the motor. At the same time thatthe armature .55 isattracted to ,7 the pole otthe electro-magnetlifi,the armature contacts with the contact point 60 in which the wind= ing59 terminates, therebycompleting a circuit which includes the ,arn atureof the motor, the winding 59 of the electroemagnet 56, the contactpoint. 60 andthe aanature 55, which is grounded. VJ hen the motor isthus set in operation, the carriage will he moved and the track section1 aline-dw-ith the straight track 1.

What I claim, is:

1. A switching system i for suspended railw ways coniiprising suspendedstraight tracks for cars traveling in opposite directions and curved ttacks diverging from the stra' 'ht tracks for cars traveling in oppositedi ec tions, each of the respective straight. tracks and curved tracksat substantially the points of divergence of the curved track from thestraight tracks having a section disjoined therefrom, a plurality ofcarriers, each supporting a disjoined section of straight and curvedtrack and means to move said carriers independently of each, other toaline the sec? tions carded thereby with the respective straight orcurved tracks.

2. A switching system for suspended railways comprising suspendedstraight tracks for cars traveling in opposite directions and suspendedcurved tracks for cars traveling in opposite directions, said curvedtracks die verging from said straight tracks, and each or" therespective straight tracks and curved tracks at substantially the-pointsof divergence of the curved tracks from the straight tracks having adisjointed section, means for suspending said disjoined sections, andmeans controllable by cars traveling on said tracks to operate saidsuspending means and thereby aline the sections carried thereby with therespective straight or curved tracks.

3, A switch ng. systemi or suspended railways includin suspendedstraighttracks and curved tracks diverging from said straight track-sandsections of tracks disjoined from said st night and curved tracks, aplurality of carriers each having supports for two track sections, and amotor to operate each carrier independently of the other thereby tocause said disjoined sections of track to he moved into and out ofalinement with said straight and curved tracks.

4. A switching system for suspended railways including straight tracksand tracks curving away from said straight tracks, and sections of trackdis-joined from said straight and curved tracks, a plurality ofcarriers, each having a support for two track sect-ions a tracliwaysupporting said carriers, motors to move said carriers independently ofeach other along said trackway, and means operable by cars traveling onsaid straight and curved tracks to control the motors and the movementof said carriers to aline one of the disjoined sections with therespective track and simultaneously remove the other of said sectionsfrom alinement with its respective track.

5. A switching system for suspended railways comprising straight tracksand curved tracks diverging from said straight tracks, each of saidstraight tracks and curved tracks having a section disjoined therefrom,a plurality of carriers, each supporting two track sections, meansoperable by cars traveling in one direction to move said carriers in onedirection and thereby cause one of the disjoined sections to aline withits respective track, and the other disjoined section to be moved out ofalinement with its respective track, and means operable by said cars tomove said carriers in the opposite direction thereby to cause the alineddisjoined section to he moved out of alinement with its respective trackand the other section to aline with its respective track.

6. A switching system for suspended railways comprising straight tracksand curving tracks diverging from said straight tracks, one of saidcurving tracks also intersecting one of said straight tracks, sectionsof tracks disjoined from said straight and curving tracks atsubstantially the point of divergence of said curving tracks from saidstraight tracks, a single section of track disjoined from one of thestraight tracks and one of the curving tracks at the point ofintersection thereof, carriers each supporting two track sections, meansto move said carriers independently oi each other to aline either of thesections carried thereby with its respective track. a support for saidsingle section of track, and means to move said single section of trackinto or out of alinement with either the straight or curved track.

7. A switching system for suspended railways comprising straight tracks,and curving tracks diverging from said straight tracks, the ends of oneoi the straighttracks and one of the curving tracks at the point ofintersection thereof being spaced relatively to each other, sections oftrack disjoined from said straight track an d curving tracks atsubstantially the point of divergence of the curving tracks from thestraight tracks, a single section of track disposed in the space betweenthe ends of the straight track and curving track and arranged tocomplete or interrupt the continuity of said straight or curving tracks,carriers each having supports for two track sections, means to operatesaid carriers independently or" each other to cause the sections carriedthereby to aline with their respective tracks, a support for said singlesections of track, and means operable by the movement of one oi saidcarriers to move said single section into or out of alinement witheither the straight or curving track.

8. A switching system for suspended railways comprising in combinationwith straight tracks and tracks diverging from said straight tracks,sections disjoined from said straight and divergent tracks respectively,supports for said sections, and means to move said supportsindependently of each other to cause the sections carried thereby toaline with the respective straight or clivergent tracks.

9. A switching system for suspended railways comprising straight tracksand curved tracks diverging from said straight tracks and one of saidcurved tracks and one of said straight tracks terminating atsubstantially the point of intersection thereof, sections of straightand curved track disjoined from said straight and curved tracks, meansto move said sections of track into and out of aline ment with thecorresponding straight or curved tracks, a single section of track forcompleting the continuity of the straight or curved track at theintersection thereof, and means to rotate said single section to alinesame with either the straight or curved track.

10. A switching system for suspended railways, eoinprising straighttracks and curved tracks diverging from said straight tracks, sectionsof straight and curved track disjoined from said straight and curvedtracks, respectively, supports for said sections, a motor to move eachsaid support, and n'ieans controllable by the cars traveling on saidtracks to operate said motors independently of each other and therebycause the sections carried by said support-s to aline with. either thestraight or curved tracks.

In testimony whereof I have set my hand.

L FLETCHER E. FELTS.

